Considering a band

The success of "Scent of a Woman" brought applause and flowers from all around. Joseph could clearly feel the benefits that success brought. This is why everyone loves success. It not only gives oneself a sense of accomplishment but also brings satisfaction and happiness from everything around. This is why sports are so popular. The thrilling competition fully engages people, pursuing the thrill of victory. After the frustration of failure, it encourages people to never give up and start over.

The subsequent overwhelming success of "A Few Good Men" brought about significant changes in life. The highly sought-after situation at the lunch meeting on December 31st was just a microcosm of Joseph's transformed life. The company even provided him with a separate office after the New Year, although it was still on the 17th floor, the treatment was obviously different.

Success is like a drug. It is addictive and can make people lose themselves. Although it may sound exaggerated, it is true. Looking back at his own behavior during that period, he had quietly gravitated towards the broker he used to dislike the most.

He would shout at the rushing fans. Although this could be explained by the fans not obeying the order, it could also be explained by his loss of patience and courtesy. He started paying attention to the preparation and process of the program, selecting the scale and level of program invitations. Although this could be explained by the elevated status of Hugo, it could also be explained by him being blinded by the so-called halo of stardom...

Hugo seemed to be the same. The cheers and shouts of fans became increasingly taken for granted, and he became accustomed to the media's pursuit and praise as if everything was natural. But in fact, it was not.

Fans are also independent individuals with self-awareness. They have no obligation to support you, and their willingness to support you is their generosity. Even if you are ungrateful, you should still give them enough respect because they don't owe you anything. Every production team has its own hardships, and the relationship between artists and production teams is one of mutual assistance. No one can dominate the other...

More importantly, while opportunities are indeed everywhere in Hollywood, for every hundred opportunities, there are ten thousand people competing. Everyone must learn to accept rejection gracefully, even top stars. But the mindsets of both Hugo and Joseph have changed with their recent success. Previously, they would be disappointed and upset after being rejected, but they would regain their spirits and continue to move forward after accepting it. But now? Both of them are occupied by impatience and anxiety. A little bit of success has made them lose their patience. If they continue to develop like this, they might become resentful, jealous, and arrogant in the future.

Joseph knew that Hugo wasn't acting high and mighty, and neither was he. But as Hugo said, they had quietly undergone changes inside. Each person sees different scenery from their own position, and after the success of "A Few Good Men", the scenery around their lives became more magnificent, to the point where they both lost their direction. Fortunately, they realized it wasn't too late.

So-called talent and ability are not reasons for success. It is one's own effort that matters. If one's eyes are blinded by the cheers and flashing lights around them and forget their own efforts, then artists are nothing more than actors, performers for others. They are individuals with a different profession from others, there's nothing special about them, and they don't have the qualifications to be superior to others. Those who act high and mighty, who think they are gods, who think that the support of fans is a given, who think their talent is their arrogant capital, are actually just self-centered bastards.

Joseph looked at Hugo, who had a radiant smile on his face as if he had been renewed. He knew that Hugo had not been discouraged by the recent events, but instead rediscovered himself. At the same time, it made Joseph reflect on himself. "Perhaps you're right. How much worse can the situation get?" The restlessness and worries between Joseph's brows slowly dissipated like a thin mist, and a smile appeared on his lips. "We've already made an effort once and succeeded, so let's make an effort again!"

The dark clouds that hung over Los Angeles had dissipated, but the dark cloud over Hugo's head remained. However, the sunlight in Hugo's heart once again revealed its radiance, rejuvenating hope. Perhaps the day when they break through the siege and see the blue sky and sunlight again is not far away.

"In that case, should we thank Tracey too?" Joseph didn't shy away from mentioning Tracey's name this time because he knew that Hugo was strong enough to face it all.

Hugo shook his head with a smile. "No, not Tracey, not Ron. Even if it's not them, there will be others in the future to remind us: don't get too arrogant. That's the rule in this industry." The popularity in the entertainment industry is unpredictable. Even someone like Michael Jackson, destined to make history, had a day when his popularity waned. Not to mention someone like Macaulay Culkin, who once made a splash and then disappeared from the history of film.

"The entertainment industry is a big melting pot, isn't it? It's not just about poison, alcohol, and debauchery. There are also flowers, applause, cheers, and flashing lights. It's like a besieged city, making people lose themselves. Those stars who have lost themselves in this circle think they are the center of the world, but they don't know that they are just lions jumping through hoops in a circus. The only difference is that their hoop jumping receives more applause."

Perhaps this was Hugo's greatest realization over the past year. Perhaps from a certain perspective, he should indeed thank Tracey because if he had realized it later, he didn't know if he would have awakened. Before, he was too eager for the spotlight, pursuing glory that he had been unable to approach for ten years. He achieved it in less than a year, and at a height that was unimaginable before. If he continued on that path, he would truly believe he was a god and become lost in the neon lights of the entertainment industry.

"They are the circus performers, but what about you?" Joseph was amused by Hugo's words and couldn't help but ask curiously.

Hugo shrugged. "For now, I can only be considered a juggler. I hope that one day I can become a magician and create my own magic tricks."

"Is there a difference?" Joseph said, not quite understanding. After all, they were all characters in the circus, so fundamentally, they were the same.

"Perhaps there is no difference," Hugo said with a smile. "But at least I hope to be an individual who can step out of the circus, while the animals cannot."

"Hey, Joseph, Karl, are you there?" There was a banging sound at the door, interrupting Hugo and Joseph's conversation.

Joseph immediately recognized the voice. "It's Eugene." He quickly turned around and went out to open the door.

Hugo stretched lazily and also walked out of the room, but he didn't see Alex and Charlize. They had been lying on their beds for the past few days, feeling like their bodies were falling apart. It was more comfortable to be active.

"Sorry, I forgot my keys." Eugene stood at the door, still looking cool as ever. When he saw Hugo, he nodded and greeted him, "I heard you were sick, are you okay?"

"I'm good, very good. Everything is fine," Hugo replied with a smile. Joseph searched for his keys in the glass bowl by the door and handed them to Eugene. Eugene nodded slightly, "I'll bring them down after I open the door upstairs." He casually raised his hand in greeting and turned around, quickly taking two steps at a time to go upstairs.

Eugene's footsteps were heavy, and even downstairs, one could hear the sound of Eugene reaching the door, opening it, entering the room, rummaging for something, and then the series of sounds of him coming downstairs. Sure enough, in just a minute, Eugene reappeared at the third-floor door, returning the keys to Joseph. "Thank you."

Hugo noticed the two instrument backpacks on Eugene's shoulders. "Do you have a performance tonight?"

"No, just daily practice. One of our band members' instruments broke," Eugene explained briefly.

Hugo's smile widened. "Oh, practice, an essential part of a band." He remembered the time before Death or Glory when they practiced day and night, filled with arguments but also laughter.

"A struggle rather," Eugene remarked casually, making Hugo even happier. "What about you? Don't you need to practice?" Eugene had originally intended to leave, but upon realizing that Hugo was also a talented guitarist, he couldn't help but ask.

"I don't have a band," Hugo shrugged helplessly. "Remember? I'm an actor."

"Then start one. Who says actors can't play in a band?" Eugene said decisively without hesitation. "I can see that you also come from a band background. You can gather a group of friends and play in a band together. Or you can audition to join other bands on tour. I believe many bands would love to have you."

Eugene's casual words sparked Hugo's interest. In fact, his passion for being in a band had never waned, but he had never had the opportunity before. "Wow, that's a great idea. Why didn't I think of it?"

"You shouldn't be asking me," Eugene said bluntly. His face still lacked expression, giving off a profound "strangers not welcome" aura. This reminded Hugo of their first meeting when Eugene didn't hide his provocative attitude, which made him laugh. "Well, I should be going. We'll talk about it next time."

Eugene didn't have any particular intentions in having this conversation with Hugo; it was just small talk. He turned around and left, quickly disappearing from the building as he descended the stairs.

However, standing in the lobby, Hugo couldn't help but think about it. Forming a band or joining one, it was truly a genius idea! But where should he go to audition? Where should he start if he wanted to form a band? Hugo found himself clueless, after all, this was an unfamiliar environment for him. But then he thought of a place, "Al's Bar!"